Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-10
can, in this instance at least, be made a
party question: Houston Post.

MANY arrangements among friends that
will last q long time. From what we
have read we do not believe the campaign
will be conducted with that spirit of
moderation that should characterize a
contest of this kind. 1t is an old ques-
ton that has been discussed thoroughly
before the people, and is very well
understood by the masses in this
state. Nothing short of experience
will give US better idea of this question
than we now have. The Prohibitionists
tell US it is a success in Atlanta, Maine,
Iowa and Kansas, and the antl-PrUhibi-
iiOnists tell Us it is dead failure. Under
such circumstances what are we to be-
lieve Each side brings an array Of
figures to support its assertions. View
ing it from this standpoint, we can see
no inducement to rush into the struggle
and yell and sweat for four months with
out knowing anything ABOUT the matter
except from heresay, and that amounts
to nothing more than q mass Of contra
diCtions Oar columns are omen 10
both sides for announcements, ap-
pointments and reports OF meet
ings free of charge; they are also
open to long winded discussions, Cor
short ones either,) at advertising rates.
Having given bOtn sides one hearing they
could not ask nothing more of us. For
/ the present we shall take g comfortable
position on the fence and observe the
actions of those whose blood is warmer
on the subject than our own ItasCa
Alliance Mail.
Prohibition was voted upon in Michi~
gan Ga Monday last and defeated by 8
majority of about 5000 votes. The Pro-
/ H. or OF
command to carry their point, working as
only fanatics and enthusiasts do work.
The result in Michigan will perhaps have
the effect of making the Texas PrOhibi-
tiOnists, aided by emissaries from abroad,
notably female lecturers, redouOle their
efforts. Let every man who is opposed
to prohibition and in favor Of the utmost
personal freedom, work against prOhibi-
ton, which is simply the advance guard
of all the issues ever originated in New
England Brennan Banner.
The most sanguine prohibitionists do
not expect that prohibition will absolutely
prohibit the drinking of liquor. It will
largely diminish it, however, and take the
sanction of law from a traffic that can be
productive of nothing but evil Sher-
man Democrat.
The ProhibitiOnists of Galveston pro-
pose to Join hands with their brethren of
the interior. They have little hope of
carrying msjOrity for the amendment in
this city; still by united and earnest work
they expect to reduce the vote against
the measure. The close vote in Michigan
Yesterday viii doubtless encourage our
prohibition people to more active efforts.
= Galveston Tribune.
Henry ExqI, chairman Of the state
Democratic executive committee, has
given the opinion that the Democratic
party cannot, as party, act in reference
TO prohibitiOn-in other words it Is not q
party question. This is a wise decision.
II is in accordance with fact. Its being
so debatable whether prohibition most
cOntravenes or sustains Democratic
freedom, is sufficient reason why it should
not be insisted upon that the u4irs
of the party should, in relation to
it, be required to conform to one view
and course OF action. Those who, either
with 'ope or sorrow, have regarded pro-
hibltion as rock upon which Democracy
might fatally split, may now calm their
excitement. The old ship will just anchor
at safe distance from the rock. and the
passengers will paddle their own canoes
on either side Of it just as they p,ease-
whether on the deep-Water side or the
shallow water side where the buOys and
floating casks tell Of nger.-LOngVieW
Clarion.
There are Two sides to this prohibition
question, both Of which will admit of a
wide scope of legitimate and profound
discussion. IT'S not a One-sided ques-
ton, by any means TeX6rkaYs Times.
Senator Coke's declared intent, on to let
the prohibition amendment take care of
itself is au example worthy TO be followed
by conservative people and conservative
papers in the state. Ii the canvass is not
to descend INTO a politiCO-religiuus cru
SADIE it should be left n the hands Of the
people who are to decide the question at
the polls, with only such disCussIors as
the people wish 70 have on the subject.
The fates forbid that Texas should be
torn and raCked as Michigan has been, on
q question that really admits Of honest
opinions widely Gifferent.- Tyler Tri-
bune.
AS a matter Of news and general inter
est the Herald might state that the ladies
who are now leCturing in Texas on the
temperance question are operating under
the auspices of the National Temperance
Bureau, and not under the auspices Of
Texas prohibition committees. The ap-
pointments were made before the con-
stitutiOnal amendment was submitted
Dallas Herald.
There is no Disgusting the fact thai
| the contest over the prohibition amend
ment is going to wax warmer and warmer,
until by the time of the election it will be
at tever heat. 1t is fortunate for the
measure, and equally so for Its advocates
and opponents, that the canvass can be
made during an off yesr in politics. The
question can be tested more on it's
merits than it could otherwise. 1t is to
be hoped that liberality and moderation
will characterize both sides. We think
there are four parties TO this issue. two on
each side. First among the advocates
are those who see nothing but
the end to be gained, and look at it as but
the moral against the immoral; the Vir-
tuouS against the vicious; and to such it
is impossible to see how a man who
claims to be a moral man can oppose pro-
hibitiOn. They see in it no political ques-
ton at all, and hence they are very en-
thusiastic in support of the measure, The
other class are, to our mind, actuated by
a puritantsm that seeks to carry moral
reformation by force of the law, and
would really blend state and church as
thoroughly as they ever existed. The
parties that oppose prohi bition may be
divided into two main classes: First,
those who for the love of whisky itself,
and for their pecuniary interest in the
sale and manufacture of same, are OPP
posed to its prohibition. 1t is natural
for those to be opposed to the measure,
and no one should think hard of them for